Faville Grove Sanctuary - Lake Mills, WI
7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Buddy's Prairie features prairie restorations in various stages from a planting done last fall to a well-developed 10+ year old prairie. . Join for a walk as they discuss the site's history, stages of restorations, bird and plant ID and more!

Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI
6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join them as they scour the southern half of Devil’s Lake State Park looking for nesting birds. We will extend the trip to include Baxter’s Hollow if time permits!

Wyalusing State Park - Bagley, WI
5:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wyalusing State Park overlooks the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers join them to observe hawks, warblers (including Yellow-throated), lots of other birds and a few spring wildflowers.

Ashippun Town Hall
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The city of Oconomowoc will discuss new efforts to partner with farmers in the Oconomowoc River Watershed to improve water quality. The event is open to the public and individuals are invited to come for some or all of the day

he 1,200-mile trail is the state's only designated scenic trail and one of 11 national scenic trails, the only one completely in Wisconsin. The footpath follows the southern edge of the last glacier that plowed through the state, a route that travels from Door County south toward the Illinois border, west past Madison, north through the center of the state and west again to the Minnesota border at Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls. No matter where you are in Wisconsin and no matter the season, you're never too far from a hike on the Ice Age Trail.

]]>2015-02-19T20:14:08+00:00Proposal To End Wisconsin Conservation Program Would Set Back St. Croix Stewardship
http://www.stcroix360.com/2015/02/proposal-to-cease-wisconsin-stewardship-program-would-set-back-st-croix-river-preservation/
http://www.stcroix360.com/2015/02/proposal-to-cease-wisconsin-stewardship-program-would-set-back-st-croix-river-preservation/#20:03Z
Feb 19, 2015

A Wisconsin program that has protected more than 500,000 acres of land for public use in the past 26 years – including important tracts along the St. Croix River — was inspired by and named after two state stewardship stalwarts with roots in St. Croix River Country. But the program could end this year, based on a budget proposal by Governor Scott Walker.

Two Republican legislators want to see major changes within the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. The organization was founded in the mid 1800s to sell millions of acres of school trust fund lands. It now maintains a loan fund for municipal projects, with the interest going to pay for school libraries. BCPL also owns and manages about a small amount of land, about 80-thousand acres for timber.

Gov. Scott Walker’s biennial budget proposal would include cuts to the Department of Natural Resources and structural changes that has environmental advocates concerned. The cuts would lead to 66 positions cut from the department, 18.4 of which would come from its science bureau. Walker also proposed a moratorium on public land purchases until the program has $1 or less of debt for every $8 of property it owns, which is projected to take until 2028. The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program began in 1989 and has been the state’s largest legislative contributor of land reserved for conservation, according to the DNR’s website.

The Park Center - Hayward, WI
7:00 PM
It is considered one of the nation’s premiere environmental and adventure film festivals, this year’s films combine stellar filmmaking, beautiful cinematography and first-rate storytelling to inform, inspire and ignite solutions and possibilities to restore the earth and human communities while creating a positive future for the next generation.

Conservation groups and some area communities are pushing back against a freeze proposed by Gov. Scott Walker on preserving state natural areas. Walker has proposed a freeze until 2028 of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which helps local communities purchase natural areas for preservation

The Hal­lie Marsh is a small state wildlife area nes­tled near the vil­lage of Hal­lie and the city of Chippewa Falls.
The site is a com­bi­na­tion of marsh and up­land ar­eas that have been planted to prairie grasses, but much of the prop­erty is com­prised of marsh.
The land has been home to a fair amount of hunt­ing pres­sure dur­ing the last two years, as the state Depart­ment of Nat­u­ral Re­sources has been re­leas­ing pheas­ants there.

"A proposed 13-year freeze in state land stewardship funding could cripple the Mississippi Valley Conservancy and its efforts to further protect sensitive areas in southwest Wisconsin from development, supporters of the organization said."

"Conservationists have decried Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to put a moratorium on the Knowles-Nelson Steward-ship program to acquire new land, saying it will be a loss to the state’s hunting, fishing, and other outdoor enthusiasts."

Nearly 14,000 acres of northern Wisconsin forestland will be set aside for timber production and public use in a deal between the state and a nonprofit group. The Department of Natural Resources used $4.5 million from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund to purchase a conservation easement on 13,732 acres in Iron County.

Camp/Quad
8:00 A.M.
Tall Pines Conservancy is pleased to present the Seventh Annual “Ride to the Barns,” a fundraising bike ride through Lake Country and rolling farmland in Waukesha, Washington and Dodge counties on Saturday, August 22nd, 2015.

Gov. Scott Walker’s budget would make far-reaching changes to the Department of Natural Resources by giving him more direct control over environmental regulations, cutting 66 agency positions and halting purchases of land for conservation until 2028.

]]>2015-02-04T16:51:01+00:00Gov. Walker Threatens Land Protection Program
http://gatheringwaters.org/conservation-policy/knowles-nelson-stewardship-fund/land-trust-community-alarmed-by-governor-walkers-call-to-freeze-knowles-nel/#16:25Z
Gov. Walker Threatens Land Protection Program

We are alarmed by Governor Walker’s budget proposal to freeze land purchases through the Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program. As someone who cares about protecting the places that make Wisconsin special, we need your help. Please contact your state legislators and to the governor’s office today to express your concern and share why the Stewardship Program is important for your community.

Governor Walker's 2015 budget proposes a moratorium on Wisconsin's Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program. This an urgent call to action for people who care about protecting the places that make Wisconsin special.

The way to make a real difference is to make sure decision-makers know how important the Stewardship Program is to you and your community. There are many ways to tell them. Check out these 10 Ways to Save Stewardship for an easy checklist of actions to take and tools to help you.

]]>2015-02-04T01:34:29+00:00Watch: the Value of the Stewardship Program
http://www.gatheringwaters.org/land-trust-stories/check-out-our-new-video/#22:32Z
Watch: the Value of the Stewardship Program

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program protects Wisconsin's economy, land, water, way of life and so much more. Take a moment to watch this powerful video that demonstrates the wide range of benefits Stewardship brings to communities throughout the state.

In the pages of this booklet, you will find just a few of the countless stories about Wisconsinites’ strong connections with, and lasting memories of, natural places made possible by the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.

Camp Bird Youth Camp, Crivitz
The 10th annual Sand Lake Conservation Camp will be held June 24-26 at Camp Bird Youth Camp, near Crivitz, WI. This camp is for Wisconsin & Upper Michigan youth attending grades 6-8 in September. It provides positive outdoor experiences, helps foster an appreciation for nature, and introduces a variety of opportunities in natural resources and conservation careers. Topics include wildlife ecology, water quality, fisheries, outdoor skills, and more. $80 fee until May 22; after May 22 is $100. Cut-off date is June 5 and space is limited; registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration forms will be available online by March. For more information, call 715-732-7784 or visit: www.marinettecounty.com & search for “Sand Lake” or “Sand Lake Conservation Camp”.

]]>2015-01-16T19:37:13+00:00Protecting Land and Jobs
http://www.gatheringwaters.org/land-trust-stories/protecting-land-and-jobs/#20:03Z
Protecting Land and Jobs

Watch this 3 minute video to see how conservation and working forests can go hand-in-hand when it comes to protecting jobs, wildlife and habitat while providing clean air, water and beautiful places to enjoy.

Riverview Ballroom – UWRF / University Center
500 Wild Rose Avenue, River Falls, WI 54022
5:00 p.m.
The Fly Fishing Film Tour 2015 is being brought to River Falls by Lund’s Fly Shop and Kinni Creek Lodge and Outfitters. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust to conserve and protect the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed.

University of Wisconsin Stevens Point - Dreyfus Center
Join the Prairie Enthusiasts at their Annual Conference and Banquet located close to the Marquette County boyhood home of John Muir, this year’s meeting is held in the Central Sands area of Wisconsin where the host chapter, Prairie Sands, is located. They have lined up a distinguished roster of speakers and panelists to discuss current issues in prairie & savanna management, all with the goal of seeking ‘Connections’ between ecosystems, the tools we use to manage them, & effects on subsequent biodiversity.

Together we've achieved incredible things in the last 20 years. Here's a snapshot from 2014. Thanks to all of you who are helping strengthen Wisconsin's land trusts and protect the places that make this state such a wonderful place to live, work and play.